BEFORE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE SARAH PALIN APPROVED ESCALATORS TO NOWHERE

September 24 2008

Juneau, AK – Long before Vice Presidential candidate and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin gave her tacit approval to the controversial bridge to nowhere, she had already been practicing her rubber stamp on projects that, to an outside observer, might have seemed doomed.

Recently released records indicate that in her early days as governor, Palin approved a redesign to portions of the state offices, which added two escalators to the building. One of those escalators was improperly installed and ended at the ceiling, the other was built too short and stairs had to be added to the bottom. The botched installation resulted in a lawsuit by the state against the manufacturer Lyndon Escalation.

“Both sides blamed each other. While it would have been obvious to the installation team that something was up, it appears that they were following very specific instructions. There’s some debate as to whether or not Palin herself was aware of the problems but nonetheless it happened on her watch” said Scrape TV Alaskan analyst Edward Azmian. “What is clear is that Palin did approve the budgeting for the installation, which was well into the millions. Neither side seems to be willing to own up to issue.”

Both escalators have since been removed from the offices though the controversy remains. Much of the issue revolves on the cost of the project, and the need for the new escalators at all. The building is equipped with elevators and stairwells.

“From what people have been saying the project began as a pitch from the escalator company. One of Palin’s aides commented that one escalator was unnecessary, never mind two, and that just set her off,” continued Azmian. “Apparently Frank Murkowski, the Governor who was in office before her was able to appropriate some money for elevator repair and Palin wanted to one up him. Escalators are usually for high traffic areas not government buildings, but apparently no one was able to convince Palin of the wisdom of that.”

The Governor has not released the exact numbers allocated for the project, which was initially completed in February 2007. Reports suggest that the costs were significantly higher than would normally be required for such a project, not including the cost of the removal. Many in the state’s legislature were willing to speak with us, and none on record.

“The Bridge to nowhere, the road to nowhere, and the escalators to nowhere, it’s an unbelievable record,” said one representative. “God forbid she ends up as President, we’ll have dead ends all over the country. Though there will be a lot of jokes about women drivers.”

It has also been recently revealed that Palin allowed a road that was supposed to connect to the bridge. That road also leads nowhere.